West Brom duo Branislav Ivanovic and Matheus Pereira test positive for Covid-19
Pereira #Pereira
Branislav Ivanovic and Matheus Pereira will miss West Bromwich Albion’s Premier League match with Tottenham on Sunday after testing positive for Covid-19.
Baggies manager Slaven Bilic confirmed both players have started a period of self-isolation after the positive tests and will miss the match at The Hawthorns.
It comes as a blow to West Brom’s hopes of gaining a positive result and climbing out of the relegation zone ahead of the two-week international break.
West Brom defender Branislav Ivanovic has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss his team’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday lunchtime
Matheus Pereira has also been forced into self-isolation following a positive coronavirus test
They are currently a point adrift of safety following Monday’s 2-0 defeat at Fulham and have yet to win a league match on their return to the top-flight.
‘They did a test on Monday and unfortunately it was positive so they have to be for 10 days in self-isolation. We cannot do anything about it. It doesn’t change the way we approach the game,’ Bilic told Sky Sports.
Central defender Ivanovic, 36, who signed from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg on a free transfer in September, has started each of West Brom’s last three Premier League games.
Dara O’Shea replaced Ivanovic in the West Brom defence for the visit of Jose Mourinho’s side.
Brazilian winger Pereira, 24, was instrumental in West Brom’s promotion last season and this promoted Bilic to make his loan signing from Sporting Lisbon permanent.
Baggies manager Slaven Bilic (right) speak with Jose Mourinho ahead of the Tottenham game
The news of the two positive Covid tests will come as a setback for Bilic ahead of the match
He has started all seven of their Premier League games so far this season, scoring once and contributing two assists. Pereira was replaced by Callum Robinson in Bilic’s starting line-up.
A West Brom club statement read: ‘Slaven Bilic has confirmed two Albion players will miss today’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur after testing positive for COVID-19.
‘Branislav Ivanovic and Matheus Pereira have begun a period of self-isolation.
‘The club wishes the players a speedy recovery and will support them, if necessary, during their quarantine.’
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